Very young gay xxx
found an overall HIV prevalence rate of 7.2% among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in metropolitan areas, the vast majority of whom was infected through sex with men. Young adults are vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, a problem that is particularly serious among young gay men (YGM), who are presently becoming infected with HIV at alarming rates. Further, gender differences were identified within the sexual scripts shared between YGM and their friends, suggesting that such interventions should be tailored to the specific needs of different friendship networks. Since inaccurate HIV risk assessment assumptions were transmitted via sexual health communication between peers, it is suggested that such assumptions may need to be addressed in HIV prevention programs working with YGM and their friends. Findings demonstrated that, while these young adults clearly intended to support their friends and promote safer sex, they also conveyed assumptions about HIV risk assessment, especially regarding sexual partner selection, that may actually increase their friends’ risk for HIV infection. In this paper, we examine risk assessment assumptions conveyed within YGM's communication about sexual health with their friends and how, if at all, the sexual scripts guiding these assumptions may differ between YGM and young women. We conducted semi-structured interviews with YGM and their best friends (11 YGM/YGM dyads and 13 YGM/heterosexual female dyads). Yet, little is known about how YGM discuss sexual health issues with their friends (‘gay boy talk’). Young adults, particularly young gay men (YGM), are vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).